WAUSAU — Surrounded by local police and other leaders Tuesday, two-term state Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley announced plans to run for re-election April 7.

"Our court — and our state — in many ways is at a crossroads," Bradley said. "Are we going to have a court in our state where there is balance and room for diversity of opinion, or are we going to have a court that only speaks with one voice?"

A win for Bradley, who is considered part of the court's liberal block, would maintain the 4-3 conservative majority. If she loses to challenger Rock County Circuit Judge James Daley, that ratio could change to 5-2. Republicans control both houses of the Legislature and the executive branch in the state.

"In the weeks ahead, I look forward to a campaign which highlights the differences between my judicial philosophy and my opponent's," Daley said in a news release. "I have a proven record of deciding cases on facts and precedent and using the constitution as a guide."

Daley, 67, is a presiding judge in Rock County. He helped create a veterans' regional diversion court, drug court and OWI court, according to his campaign website biography. Daley served 36 years in the military and obtained a brigadier general ranking.

More than 50 people showed up for Bradley's announcement at the Marathon County Courthouse, including local officials and supporters. As an incumbent, she said, her advantage is having traveled the state, meeting people and educating students about the role of the third branch of government. She said she will tour Wisconsin again during her campaign.

Bradley, 64, grew up in Richland Center, taught high school in La Crosse before attending law school and then served as a Marathon County Circuit Court judge before joining the state's highest court.

"My work is not yet done," Bradley said. "I will never stop working to defend our individual rights. I will never stop working to make sure that I am a voice to make government open, accessible and accountable."

She said a lack of balance on the court would undermine public trust from a large segment of the state's population.

Bradley spoke against the influence of special-interest money in state judicial elections — something she said has intensified in the past 10 years.

She said she expects to debate Daley before the April election.

Nora G. Hertel can be reached at 715-845-0665. Find her on Twitter as @nghertel.